Buying new entry level bike - advice needed!

I'm looking to purchase a road bike with a preferred* budget of around £500-£550 and have been considering 3 models locally.
1) C.Boardman comp (Halfords)
2) Giant defy 3 ( MK Cycles Bolton)
3) Trek 1.2 (Mike Cookson Cycles, Whitefield)
All sellers are extolling the virtues of the bikes they stock, but i wondered if any of you have experience of any of the above bikes.
Although the bike seems ok, Halfords is probably the least likely choice, due to adverse feedback on the store generally and also the fact that I'd like to support one of my LBS's.
*To be honest, though, i like the look of the Specialized Allez Sport, but finding it hard to justify the extra £200 cost!!!
What do you reckon?
1) C.Boardman comp (Halfords)
2) Giant defy 3 ( MK Cycles Bolton)
3) Trek 1.2 (Mike Cookson Cycles, Whitefield)
All sellers are extolling the virtues of the bikes they stock, but i wondered if any of you have experience of any of the above bikes.
Although the bike seems ok, Halfords is probably the least likely choice, due to adverse feedback on the store generally and also the fact that I'd like to support one of my LBS's.
*To be honest, though, i like the look of the Specialized Allez Sport, but finding it hard to justify the extra £200 cost!!!
What do you reckon?
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the other two are sora all over, no?
the boardman is a mix of tiagra and 105?
no contest.
do the shops not have any left over '08 models to make the competition fairer?
personally i think it's always worth looking at older models that are being replaced as substantial savings can be made. Cheers Scurry
They also have a Giant SCR 1.5 with Tiagra throughout for £550 which is nice as well! And closer to your budget.
If you can stretch it consider the Focus... excellent bike for the money.